Harness-buckle



(No Model) J. R. MOLE. HARNESS BUGKLE.

Patented 001;. 13, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES R. MOLE, OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN.

HARNESS-BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 569,584, dated October 13, 1896.

Application filed February 1, 1896. Serial No. 577,726. (No model.)

I 0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES R. MOLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Janosville, in the county of Rock and State of lViscousin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Harness-Buckles; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to harness-buckles, and the object of my improvement is to accomplish the shortening or lengthening of heavy strap connections conveniently, easily, and rapidly, whatever may be the position of the parts joined by my buckle.

In my peculiar construction the tongue or stationary peg is always covered by the sliding band, thereby preventing the trouble and vexation caused by the horses continually catching their tails or manes upon projecting points of buckles now in common use.

A very important advantage arising from the use of my invention is due to the fact that it can be readily operated when there is a strain upon the harness, and in case of accident itsaves cutting thetugs or other straps.

1n the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, Figure 1 shows a side view with the position of the parts when separated indicated by dotted lines, and Fig. 2 represents a top view of my invention.

Similar letters represent the same parts in both the views.

Referring to Fig. 1, the letter B represents a metallic plate of suitable rigidity. The extremities of the plate B may be provided with holes or slots R and end hold J, or they may be otherwise adapted to be secured to connecting portions of the harness. Near one end the plate B is bent upward, as at L, and then forward in the original direction. This construct-ion leaves a shoulder or step in the upper plane of the plate B, the use of which will be more fully set out hereinafter.

Between the bend L and the extremity J of the longer flat portion of the plate B is situated the slot K. The said slot extends quite through the plate, excepting for a short distance near one end P of the slot, where there is a depression but about half through the thickness of the plate B. Riveted in this said depression and, as ordinarily constructed, filling out the thickness of the plate B is one end of a latch-spring O, which extends along within the slot K, never rising above the upper surface of the plate 13. Upon the upper surface and within a short distance of the free end of the spring 0 is fixed a lug or block D, which presents a perpendicular side toward the free end of the spring and an inclined side toward the riveted end of the said latch spring.

Situated between the end of the slot K and the bend L in the plate 13 and projecting from the under surface of the said plate is fixed the peg F, usually made in tapering form, with the larger end attached to the plate B. Inclosing the metal plate and the strap G, which is placed against the under surface of the plate, are two or more bands. The first and widest of the bands A is loose and 1novable longitudinally between the step L in the metal plate and one of the other bands H, which is fixed to the plate B at a short distance beyond the riveted end of the spring C toward the end J of the said plate. The movable band A and the fixed bands -1 H permit the strap G to pass freely through them when the bands A and H occupy positions side by side, as shown in Fig. 1. \Vhen, however, one of the holes N with which the strap G is provided is occupied by the peg F and the movable band A surrounds the plate B and the strap G at the point where the peg F is located, the parts are securely latched together. As the movable band A is slipped over the spring and the slot it meets the inclined side of the block D and the spring is pressed within the slot, allowing the bandA to pass, and the movement being completed the block I) rises behind the band A, as best shown in Fig. 1. The movement of the band A is now limited upon one side by the step L in the plate B, and upon the other side it is contained within the angle formed by the junction of the block and latchspring, as above described.

It is within the scope of my invention to omit the spring C and slot K, as shown and described. (See Fig. 1.) When those features are omitted, the travel of the loop or bandAis limited in one direction by the bend in the plate 13, as usual, and reliance is placed upon friction to prevent the band from leaving its position against the bend of the plate, thereby uncovering the peg F and releasing the strap G. By making the band A fit tightlyabout the plate and strap and forming it of very stiff material this form of my invention is entirely reliable as a buckle.

The release of the parts obviously follows the depression of the spring, and the operation of the device is believed to have been made sufficiently apparent by the drawings and description herein.

I am aware thata somewhat similarlatchin g device to that shown and described in this application has been used, and I do not claim the same broadly.

hat I do. claim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a harness-buckle, the plate B having orifices near the ends and the bend or step Ii, said plate provided With a projecting peg F, in combination with a movable band A, and a fixed band, the said movable band being constructed to fit three sides of said plate closely, substantially as described.

2. In a harness-buckle, the plate B having orifices near the ends and the bend or step L, said plate provided with slot K, spring 0 and the peg F, in combination with a movable band A, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES R. MOLE.

Witnesses:

' SILAs HAYNER,

O. P. Evans. 

